Contemporary society is preoccupied with risk reduction. Concerns about safety and security predominate in all realms of modern life, and the perception is that if people took fewer risks they would live longer, better, and cheaper lives.

People take risks because they are either ignorant or careless, or because taking a risk promises pleasure or might enable someone to achieve a particular goal.

The link between risk taking and pleasure is intriguing. People generally eat what they eat and resort …